Isle of May

The Isle of May lies in the Firth of Forth roughly 8 km off the Fife coast and roughly a 25 km round trip. It is 1.8 km long and less than half a km wide and a classic sea kayak trip on the East coast. We met at 9 am in Anstruther harbour at low tide...

 ... and over the day paddled this route. Not too much deviation as the tidal streams are not too strong. 

 Here we are about to launch our boats...

 ... and here we leave the Fife coast with Anstruther in the distance.

 Short break on the water...

 ... with very easy navigation. 

 The trip is potentially serious as it is an open water crossing but we had perfect conditions. Sun, hardly any wind and a well matched team. 

 The birds were already gone so we could paddle close to the cliffs... 

 ... which looked great when seen with climbers goggles.

 We went around the Southern tip of the island to land at Kirk Haven on the Eastern side. 

 Big open, summery skies...

 We left towards Fife and numerous seals were following us checking us out from the surface...

 ... and from below. 

 Here Katie and Robbie and a Mackerel fisherman in a wee boat. 

 Robbie close to Anstruther...

 ... and here is Katie returning to the harbour at high tide = less kayak carrying. 

 Summer on the beach...

 ... at the end of one of the best days of the year!

HW

Ardverikie wall HS ****

After last week's sea kayaking Giulio was keen on some scrambling and he said he would bring his colleague Chris. As both had climbed and as the weather was good we initially decided to go to Glen Coe. However, low clouds were forecast for coastal areas so we decided to try Ardverikie wall which is one of the great Scottish classic climbs and justifiably so. The first ascent was made by the Dundee team of DF Lang and GN Hunter in June 1967 and I had climbed it twice before, so a good introduction.

Our prediction was right and it was sunny during the walk in...

 ...past Lochan na h-Earba ...

 ... to reach the Southern side of Beinn Shuas where a large band of microgranite rises uninterrupted for 200 or so metres. 

 At least 5 times were climbing the route...

 ... so we had to join the queue but queueing in the sunshine and having an early lunch is very different from queuing for a winter route in a gale. 

 The route climbs up a rib followed by a run out second pitch which is commonly climbed together with the first one. After that crack systems before a rightwards traverse ends the climb proper. Some scrambling follows to near the summit of Beinn Shuas. In the photo below the blue climber has reached the belay after the bold but easy bit. The crack/flake is to the right of him and the lower red climber is just below. After that the crux which is to traverse rightwards before following a groove.

 Here I am waiting for the traffic to clear before tackling the 15 m run out to the belay...

 ... and here I start the crack/flake.

 Here are Chris and Gilio on the crux pitch...

 ... and here they have reached the belay at the top of the pitch. 

 Here is Giulio finishing the main part of the route before the final scramble to the top. 

A grand day out, my first mountain route this year after a shoulder luxation and a chest infection.
HW

Braeriach walk & St Andrews paddle

This Scottish summer has been the worst for decades and a penicillin-resistance chest infection for the best part of July did not help. However, at the beginning of August things were looking up and on the 7th of August Roger and I walked in to the Corrour bothy reaching it around midnight. I had my Tarp tent plus winter sleeping bag and slept outside whilst Roger and Mike spent the night inside. Grey skies, 10 degrees or so but no rain on the morning of the 8th and after a month of inactivity I was keen...

 We walked up the Devil's Point where Glasgow Jimmy took a photo of us...

 ... walked over Cairntoul and Angel's peak to cross the young Tay near its source...

 ... to reach the summit of Braeriach. 

 Down into the Lairig Ghru where we first considered doing both Ben Macdiu and Carn a Mhaim but as poor weather was forecast we only did the latter.  

 We parted as Roger and Mike stayed another night in the Corrour whereas I left for Aberdeen. So good to spend again a day in the hills under big skies even if no summer was in sight. 

After a holiday in the sun another sea kayak weekend in Arisaig at the end of August was cancelled because of strong Westerly winds and poor weather. However, the other side of Scotland looked fine and so we went just a few miles South to St. Andrews to meet at the East Sands car park.

 Being out at sea in the sun is bliss...

 ... especially this summer. We paddled to Kingsbarns for a break on the beach. Paul and I also fished and caught mackerels and Pollack. 

 Here we are approaching St. Andrews marked by the ruin of the cathedral...

 ... and here we are landing...

 ... and here's the catch of the day. Most got 1-2 mackerels and Paul took the rest. 

We have grilled our Mackerel fillets covered in full-grain mustard together young potatoes and a green salad with lemon dressing. Was it good? Guess...

HW